Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Friday September 17, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Daniel, chapters 7-9. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-september-17
Today's Message: True Treasures
We all long to be prosperous and comfortable in life, most people think if you are prosperous it means to be successful or wealthy, so, while some people find prosperity in simple things, the majority find it in luxurious things. As Christians, if we are not careful in what we long for to give us prosperity we can lose sight of God and everything that He stands for. Jesus Said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” - Luke 12:34. We find comfort in our treasures, whatever it is that we long for is where our heart will be. Our treasures should not be what takes place of God, they should be of God. It is only when we put God first that we will see prosperity and the true treasures waiting for us not only in the Kingdom of God, but here on earth as well.
Contrary to what most people think, God does want to see us prosper, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” -Psalm 1:1-3. The key to prosperity is delighting in the law of the Lord, in other words, following His will. This is where many Christians will fall, they lose sight of following God's will in the pursuit of seeking the treasures that will make them feel prosperous. Seeking personal financial gain, possessions, and fame for prosperity is what is the downfall of every nations ruler and will be the destruction of the world.
The Book of Daniel gives an insight into what is going to happen as nation upon nation fight for worldly treasures. “Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.” - Daniel 7:2-7. In this vivid dream, Daniel sees fierce winds and beasts upon the great sea, the four winds represent the greed, confusion, and competition that exist in the world and from this violent situation arise four savage beasts, representing the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome at different times from the time of Daniel to the kingdom of Christ. The great sea represents fallen humanity with its fierce competition and godless instability. All these governments were symbols of selfishness, heartless cruelty, and strife. Sound like any of our nations today?
Daniel saw world monarchs in their rebellion against God and contending for mastery over each other. Selfish ambition to achieve worldly dominion has reduced men to the level of beasts, this is what God sees them as and it will be the destruction of many great nations. However, in the midst of all the chaos God assures us that He will support, comfort, and not destroy His people through it all. He did not promise that there will not be some suffering, but He did promise to protect all that return to Him. “As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” - Daniel 7:12-14. Worldly prosperity only last for a season, but Jesus gives us prosperity that will last for eternity.
Right now, Satan is in control and the culprit to all this, “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.” - Daniel 8:23-25. While Satan has power in the world right now he does not have power over Jesus and those who are saved by Him. Satan tempts everyone, but only we can allow him to control us. When being tempted by Satan, Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” - Matthew 4:4. Living by every word of God is what keeps us from falling into Satan's temptations.
It can be easy to seek worldly treasures when we do not keep our eyes on Jesus, we are human and all long for something that gives us that security and comfort, but when we seek it in our own will it does not last. I was once engaged to a man that was not very good for me, I treasured every moment with him and found comfort through him, even though I knew he was getting me to do things that were destroying me spiritually, mentally, and physically. After I found out about him and broke off the engagement I still continued a relationship with him because we were both holding on to the treasures that gave us comfort. It was not until I realized that these memories were not really something to treasure that I was able to see the true treasure in my life, Jesus Christ. I have now been able to let him go. Oh, I still struggle from time to time with those memories, but I rather have my true treasure than treasure someone who has no regard or respect for me and our relationship. God knows what we need and will always provide for us. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.